Sponsor Company: Jaguar Land Rover / WMG centre HVM Catapult
WMG and Jaguar Land Rover, are seeking a top class candidate to undertake research leading to the award of an International Engineering Doctorate from the University of Warwick. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team of automotive engineers, researchers and academics, co-located within a unique energy storage research facility within the University campus.
As a âResearch Entrepreneurâ on our International Doctorate programme you will have unrivalled access to some of the best teaching and industrial expertise in the world. You will emerge from the four-year programme more confident and better equipped to make a difference to your future employer and the global marketplace.
This opportunity also provides a substantial tax free stipend equivalent to many graduate jobs.
ProjectÂ
The portfolio of potential research topics that underpins the successful re-use of EV or HEV batteries crosscuts a wide spectrum of technology and commercial issues. These may include, but are not constrained too:
The optimization of the battery pack to facilitate pack reconfiguration
The design of novel methods for the management of mixed age/chemistry battery systems
The design of new business and innovation models to support battery re-use
BackgroundÂ
End of life for a Li-ion battery back installed within an electric vehicle (EV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is broadly accepted to be when the battery capacity has reduced by 70%-80% of its initial value.
Recent studies have highlighted that even for an optimized powertrain, the financial cost of the vehicle battery may be in the order of 10-15 times greater than the respective cost of the electrical machine and power electronics.
If low carbon technology is to represent a viable sustainable solution in the longer term, then technology must be developed that facilitates the continued use of vehicle battery systems beyond their first life application. Future re-use of vehicle batteries may open up new markets and sources of revenue for both existing suppliers and manufacturers, while potentially establishing a completely new market for the recovery, reconfiguration, recycling and disposable of first life EV and HEV batteries.
Entry Requirements
Candidates should have a minimum of an upper second (2.1) honours degree (or equivalent) in a scientific or engineering discipline.
A numerate subject (e.g. engineering) or related field (e.g. mathematics, physics ).
Attributes
- Self-starter who can work with minimum supervision
- Good communication skills, especially in regard to requirement gathering and technical knowledge transfer
- Ability to work with various levels with in a large company
- A demonstration of programming skills is also desirable.
The StudentshipÂ
Qualifying students receive an attractive enhanced stipend which could be tax and NI free depending on your personal circumstances, paid by the International Doctorate Centre and topped up by a contribution from Jaguar Land Rover. For 2013 this totals approximately £19,000 tax free per annum.
The funding is for four years and will also cover University tuition fees and all course fees as well as a travel allowance to attend courses.
The regulations regarding EPSRC funding require that applicants should be UK or EU citizens to be eligible for EPSRC funding.
ApplyÂ
To apply please contact us at engd@warwick.ac.uk or phone us on 024 765 24357